Work is under say to set up a missile shield at a US base in Seongju.[Yonhap News Photo]

The office of South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for strengthened "strategic communication and cooperation" between Seoul and Beijing, saying it's not the time to divert attention from North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

China's informal trade and economic retaliation intensified after US troops brought in a missile shield to intercept North Korean ballistic missiles in April. Chinese consumers have shunned South Korean products. China's concerted campaign against South Korea fueled public calls for strong government action and some pundits in Seoul mentioned the idea of taking China to arbitration by the World Trade Organization.

Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong said Wednesday that a petition to the global body regulating international trade should be one option being considered. However, he cautioned against any hasty action saying South Korea should not show temper in dealing with the row over a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

Presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun followed up Thursday with a message that South Korea should focus on North Korea. "Now it's very important to maintain cooperation with China due to North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations." "We want to address difficult issues between South Korea and China by strengthening strategic communication and cooperation," he said.

The THAAD battery has been a sensitive diplomatic issue among China and other nations around the Korean peninsula. Beijing argues that the missile shield's powerful X-band radar capable of monitoring Chinese troop movements.